ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year 

This year marked a >Grace Wales Bonner becoming the first Black woman to lead a major luxury house, to Ayo Edebiri making history as Chanel’s first Black female ambassador, the industry is changing and we are entering it with purpose, demanding progress. As someone who has followed the fashion landscape for years, it’s incredible to witness this shift firsthand. Just as exciting are the breakout stars stepping confidently into fashion, consistently delivering standout looks all year long. And if this year is any indication, the future of fashion is only getting bolder.

Scroll ahead to discover the 10 >Chase Infiniti 

From her breakout role in One Battle After Another to the press tour and awards season, Infiniti has made a powerful red carpet entrance. Working closely with stylist duo Wayman and Micah, the actress has delivered standout look after standout look. Her custom white Louis Vuitton gown at the Governors Awards was an unforgettable moment, capped off by the announcement of her new role as a Louis Vuitton brand ambassador. 

Michelle Obama 

Mrs. Obama has been servingsrc="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2204302684-scaled.jpg" alt="ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year " width="400" height="600" />Former US First Lady Michelle Obama arrives to speak at the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival in the Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP via Getty Images)

Teyana Taylor 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: Teyana Taylor attends the 2025 CFDA Awards at American Museum of Natural History on November 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

A$AP Rocky 

Rapper A$AP Rocky has expanded his horizons this year, embracing new roles both on and off the screen while also celebrating life as a father of three with partner Rihanna. Known for his effortless swag and Harlem roots, Rocky continues to set the tone in fashion and culture. This year, he stepped in as co-chair for the Met Gala, was named a Chanel ambassador, and took on a role in Spike Lee’s Highest to Lowest, exploring new creative territory. As creative director at Ray-Ban, each collection he curates surpasses the last, marking the rapper-turned-dad’s entry into an exciting new era.

Ayo Edebiri 

Ayo Edibiri and her stylist, Karla Welch, consistently impress both on and off the red carpet. From magazine editorials to everyday streetdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2251076878-scaled.jpg" alt="ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year " width="400" height="599" />LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 09: Ayo Edebiri attends the World Premiere of 20th Century Studios’ “Ella McCay” at El Capitan Theatre on December 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/WireImage)

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo is a masterclass in red carpetdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-3.jpeg" alt="ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year " width="400" height="600" />

Da’Vine Joy Randolph 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s red carpetdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2179678437-scaled.jpg" alt="ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year " width="400" height="594" />LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: Da’Vine Joy Randolph attends The Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Julez Smith 

The 21-year-old model and tastemaker is clearly inheriting his mother, Solange Knowles’ fashion instincts while carving out his own identity. From gracing the cover of Pause magazine to walking runways in Paris, Milan, and New York, Julez is emerging as one of fashion’s freshest and most exciting new stars. Equally at ease in bold streetwear or sharp tailored suits, he’s proving he can do it all and we can’t wait to see how hisdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2246619935-scaled.jpg" alt="ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year " width="400" height="600" />LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: Julez Smith attends 2025 GQ Men of the Year on November 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ)

Kendrick Lamar

Kicking off the year as Chanel’s first male ambassador and Super Bowl LIX Halftime performer, Kendrick Lamar launched his international Grand National Tour with SZA. Lamar and his team have a way of making bold statements that feel thoughtful and nuanced rather than overt. The same approach carries over into hisdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2199771254-scaled.jpg" alt="ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year " width="400" height="592" />NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Kendrick Lamar perform onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton 

Lewis Hamilton has redefined red carpetdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2213598356-1-scaled.jpg" alt="ESSENCE’s Style Stars: The Black Fashion Icons Of The Year " width="400" height="600" />NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 05: Lewis Hamilton, Met Gala Co-Chair, attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City.(Photo by Savion Washington/Getty Images)

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